Job Information
Department of State - Agency Wide Associate Ombuds in Washington, District Of Columbia
Summary This position is located in the Office of the Ombuds, Office of the Secretary (S/O) whose mission is to handle workplace conflicts that are not currently in a formal process and help employees identify mutually satisfactory solutions. S/O facilitates and supports a fair, equitable workplace that ensures the essential well-being of the Department of State workforce. Note: the official position title of this position is HR Specialist (Employee Relations). Vacancy closing date has been extended. Responsibilities At the GS-12 level, the incumbent performs essentially the same duties as outlined below however, the scope and complexity of assignments are of less responsibility and independence and receives closer than normal supervision than the GS-13 level. Provides expert advice and assistance to employees and managers, program administration, and case managers in matters related to conduct, performance, and dispute resolution. Serves as dispute resolution practitioner who provides confidential and impartial assistance to facilitate achieving sustainable resolution early, efficiently, and effectively. Provides training on a variety of topics to include communication, conflict resolution, and the Department's Anti-Bullying Policy for Department workforce to include employees and leaders of all levels. Establishes and maintains working level contacts within a variety of offices throughout the Department to help ensure non-duplication and streamlined approaches to service delivery to achieve resolution of workplace disputes. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F. GS-12: Applicants applying for the GS-12 must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience identifying and describing conflict resolution options. Experience analyzing conflict situations to determine the applicability of the range of laws, regulations, policies, and precedents. Experience facilitating conversations between parties in conflict to seek resolution. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position. GS-13: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience analyzing conflict situations to determine the applicability of the range of laws, regulations, policies, and precedents. Experience identifying and describing conflict resolution options. Experience developing and delivering trainings or presentations in the areas of collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution. Experience facilitating conversations between parties in conflict to seek resolution. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position. Education Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement. Additional Information For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov. If eligible, telework and/or remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Please note that any approved remote work arrangement is subject to the locality pay area of the alternative telework worksite. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.